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By Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
PIYUSHAVARSHI AUSHADHALAYA
Ayurvedic Clinic
Mahabouddha, Kathmandu, Nepal
URL: http://www.ayurvedicclinic.net
Email: bajra@ayurvedicclinic.net
ISBN 99933-988-4-5
Ayurveda The Science of Life Series Volume 14
Copyright 1988 by M. B. Bajracharya
All rights reserved.
First Edition 1988
Second Edition 2003 (Revised electronic book edition)
ISBN 99933-988-4-5
Published by:
Piyushavarshi Aushadhalaya
Ayurvedic Clinic
Mahabouddha
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel. No.: +977-1-4223960
Fax No.: +977-1-4428743
Email: bajra@ayurvedicclinic.net
URL: http://www.ayurvedicclinic.net
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................1
CAUSES OF PSORIASIS.....................................................................................3
SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS...............................................................................4
PREVENTION OF PSORIASIS ............................................................................5
TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS..............................................................................5
PROHIBITED FOODS AND BEHAVIORS............................................................7
RECOMMENDED DIET........................................................................................7
T TH HE E A AY YU UR RV VE ED DI IC C C CO ON NC CE EP PT T O OF F P PS SO OR RI IA AS SI IS S
The Ayurvedic Concept of Psoriasis
Written by Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
1
INTRODUCTION
Any kind of poison either in the form of mineral, herb or animal
product, which is not so harmful just like a slow poison or
counteracted with the antidote, is called Dusivisa. This kind of
poison can cause many problems, if it stays in the body and is not
excreted through the process of filtration. The epithelium, a cellular
substance of the skin and the mucous membrane produce sticky
mucus, which is sweet in taste. It has power, to some extend, to
counteract the physical properties of the poison and the poison
counteracted with sweet mucus, in some condition, can stay long
time in the body and results in many problems. Psoriasis is one of
them if the poison is active in the epithelial tissues of the skin. In this
sense, it is clear that the slow poison whatever may be the kind of it,
or the poison counteracted with the antidote, is the pathogenic agent
of psoriasis. This is the theory of Ayurveda.
There are three kinds of psoriasis called Kitibha, Ekakustha and
Charmakhya. The psoriasis classified in the category of Kitibha, is
characterized with rough papulosquamous dermatosis in which the
scaling papules are light blue or red in color. The psoriasis called
Ekakustha is identified with silvery gray scaling papules, which can
spread in big patches. And the psoriasis known as Charmakhya is
characterized with thick scaling papules, which finally turns just like
the skin of the elephant.
Ayurveda considers that the case of psoriasis whatever may be the
character of it, is found active in the morbid condition of the
aggravated functions of nervous system (Vata) and the artery system
(Kapha). The pathogenic agent of psoriasis, in general, being
accumulated in the blood especially of the vein, the function of the
vein is found unbalanced or inactive. The unbalanced function of the
vein causes less heat for circulation and can not control and regulate
the functions of the nervous system and artery system, because they
need more heat for proper function. In these morbid conditions, the
bilateral co-ordination between the functions of the nervous system
and the artery system can not keep the balance of them, which is
necessary for natural functions of them. Regarding these facts, the
foods and behaviors such as salt; sour fruits and foods; fish; curd
The Ayurvedic Concept of Psoriasis
Written by Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
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(yogurt); milk; sugarcane products; contradictory foods e.g. milk to be
taken together with fish or acid fruits etc; sleeping during the day;
overeating; clay mixed water to drink etc. can aggravate the function
of the artery system, which causes exudation of the unhealthy mucus
and damages the structure of the epithelium. In this condition, the
recurrent problem of the psoriasis is very common.
Quick change of hot and cold; fear; heavy labor right after meal;
withholding the urges of stool, urine and gas; to control the forces of
vomiting etc. can aggravate the function of the nervous system, which
causes dryness of the skin. In this condition psoriasis can be worse.
In general the theory of treatment of psoriasis is based on to clean
the blood in order to restore the balance of the nervous system and
the artery system. The application of the blood cleaning drugs must
be concentrated to counteract the slow poison accumulated in blood.
In this field, poison to poison is the theory of Ayurvedic treatment.
Poison in the form of minerals counteracts the poison of animal
products or herbs. In the same way, the poison of herbs is against the
poison of minerals and animal products. To use the poisonous plants
and animals, they must be purified in certain pharmaceutical process,
not to have any harmful effect from them.
The unbalanced function of the vein can be stimulated with the drugs
and foods, which are pungent, sour or salty in taste. But, in the
treatment of psoriasis, these drugs and foods are contradictory,
because they aggravate the functions of the nervous system and the
artery system. The overbalanced functions of the nervous system and
the artery system can be controlled with drugs, which are sweet,
bitter or astringent in taste. But, in the treatment of psoriasis, these
drugs are also contradictory, because they result in more unbalance
of the function of the vein system. Therefore, the case of psoriasis is
not too easy to cure; however, there are numerous well investigated
drugs for the cure of psoriasis. These drugs play a major role to clean
the blood and restore the balance of the bodily systems.
The Ayurvedic Concept of Psoriasis
Written by Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
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CAUSES OF PSORIASIS
The effect of slow poison or the poison, which is partly counteracted
with anti-poisonous drugs or antidote, is the fundamental cause of
psoriasis. It is well investigated that the defilement of rats urine
mixed with semen, which is considered to be poisonous, can be a
cause of psoriasis; any insect bite, especially the bite of the wild
insects has been seen as a cause of psoriasis; the poisonous drugs,
which are not purified in proper way, if cause bad side effect and stay
in the body, can be a cause of psoriasis; the dirty water, which
contains minerals and clay can be also a cause of psoriasis.
The poison whatever may be the kind of it induced in the body by any
means if is inactive or counteracted with sweet ingredients of mucus,
can stay long time not being active in the body. In this condition,
something, which stimulates the mucous membrane and causes
more mucus or slime discharge and if it turns salty in taste, the
counteracted poison can be active to manifest the symptoms of
psoriasis. Therefore, Ayurveda points out that the foods and
behaviors, which aggravate the mucous membrane or the function of
the artery system, can be the aggravating causes of psoriasis. In the
same way, the behaviors, which aggravate the nervous system, also,
can be the aggravating causes of psoriasis.
Excessive or daily indulgence in any of the following foods and
behaviors causes aggravation of the artery system (Kapha).
Radish; salt; sour fruits or foods; milk or yogurt; sugarcane products;
fish; new rice right after harvesting; sesame products; greasy foods or
food preparations; liquid diet; contradictory foods e.g. milk with fish,
acid fruits or meat; over eating i.e. food to be taken again not being
digesting the previous one; sleeping during the day; fried, burnt or
roasted foods.
Daily indulgence in any of the following behaviors causes aggravation
of the nervous system (Vata).
Quick change of the hot and cold e.g. to take cold bath while working
with or in fire or in sun etc.; to drink ice cold water or any beverage
The Ayurvedic Concept of Psoriasis
Written by Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
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being very hot; withholding the natural urges of stool, gas and urine;
to control the forces of vomiting; indigestion; misuse of laxative or
emetic drugs; unusual fasting; over indulgence in sex; vigorous
exercise; fear; violation of the discipline.
SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS
There are three kinds of psoriasis known as Kitibha, Ekakustha and
Charmakhya. They have similar primitive symptoms such as:
circumscribed rashes, local numbness, hot sensation, itching, slow
healing and painful condition of the wound, goose pimples, fatigue
and the color of the blood to be blackish etc. these symptoms come
and go not even being noticed as the prognosis of psoriasis.
Then gradually scaling, papules of various sizes develop nearby the
elbows, knee, around the head, eyebrows and here and there, of the
arms and the legs etc. Ayurveda hints that the big joints of the knee,
elbow and the joint of the head etc. are the sensitive places where air
(Vata) can be accumulated counteracting the synovial mucous
membrane of the joints (Kapha). Psoriasis as a disease characterized
with the morbid conditions of Vata-Kapha, the symptoms of it is
localized near by the joints of the knee, elbow and head etc.
Psoriasis known as Kitibha is characterized with rough or dry, bluish
or reddish scaling papules, which develop in the form of scars. It is a
kind of chronic dermatosis without pain and discharge similar to the
nature of leprosy.
Psoriasis known as Ekakustha is identified with dry, silvery gray
scaling papules where the perspirative glands become inactive. The
scaling papules of this case are bigger than other cases of psoriasis.
It is a kind of chronic skin disease, which is similar to the nature of
leprosy however it is not degenerative.
Psoriasis called Charmakhya is characterized with thick less scaling
papules joined each other, which finally turn just like the skin of the
elephant. This kind of psoriasis can be generalized in chronic stage if
it is not treated in the proper way.
The Ayurvedic Concept of Psoriasis
Written by Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
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In regard to these symptoms, it is clear that the case of psoriasis is
not painful and harmful to the life. However, the patient of psoriasis
suffers from psychological effect being ugly and reacts by himself
with destructive mood.
PREVENTION OF PSORIASIS
Foods should be free from the contact of any kind of rat. Insect bite,
especially wild poisonous insect bite should not be neglected. It
should be treated as soon as possible with anti-poisonous drugs.
Clay mixed water should be filtered well for drinking purpose. Raw
vegetable contaminated with clay should be washed very well for
salad. Hands should be washed very well while working in the farm or
garden. Especially, the nails must be cleaned.
Contradictory foods e.g. milk to be taken together with fish or acid
fruits or foods should be prohibited. The use of sweet, sour and salty
foods; milk products; greasy foods; liquid diet should be moderate.
Being very hot, whatever may be the cause of it should not have
immediately cold bath or swimming.
Sleeping during the day, withholding the urges of stool, urine or gas
and vomiting etc. are not good.
Blood must be alkaline in reaction; if it is acid in reaction, has to be
fixed as soon as possible with alkaline drugs. During this period
roasted, fried or burnt foods or food preparations are strictly
prohibited.
Sometime very big rich meal, sometime opposite of it; hot drink right
after cold drink or opposite is very bad for the skin diseases.
TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS
The general treatment of psoriasis is based on three medical
approached: blood cleaning, medicine for dermatosis and the
The Ayurvedic Concept of Psoriasis
Written by Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
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medicine to restore the balance of the aggravated functions of the
artery system (mucous membrane) and the nervous system.
The pathogenic agent of psoriasis, which is considered as the
inactive poison or slow poison or poison counteracted with antidote,
in general, remains in blood mixed with the fluid of it. In this condition,
the coagulating nature of blood becomes more sensitive, which
results in black to some extend thus causing unbalanced function of
the veins. Following this morbid condition of blood, the blood cleaning
drug plays a major role to eliminate the poison and to restore the
normal functioning of the veins, Gandhaka Rasayana, a specific
compound of purified sulphur with other herbs is one of the best
blood cleaning drugs. It is prescribed to take for three to six months.
In the advanced stage, the blood letting practice has to be applied to
clean the blood.
The medicine for dermatosis contains some drugs, which have
general effect for healing the lesions and restoring the normal
function of the psoriatic skin. Vakuchyadibati, a standard compound
of Psoralia corylifolia and Acacia catechu with other herbs is one of
the effective medicines for dermatosis. It is prescribed for three to six
months to take regularly. The ointment made from the resin of Shorea
robusta with other herbs and minerals, is one of the best external
remedies for healing the psoriatic skin. While using this ointment, the
affected skin, first of all, has to be rubbed on with the powder of sea-
foam (Samudraphena).
The medicine to restore the balance of the aggravated functions of
the artery system and the nervous system contains some general
herbs, which counteract the exudation of mucous (bodily fluid), open
the blocked duct system and regulate the function of the nervous
system. For that the standardized compound Kaisaraguggulu is very
effective. This compound contains Balsamodendron mukul,
Tinospora cordifolia and some other herbs. It is prescribed side by
side with blood cleaning drugs and medicine for dermatosis.
It is well experienced that psoriasis what ever may be the character of
it, is curable with combined treatments based on the blood cleaning
drugs, medicine for dermatosis and medicine for restoring the
balance of the bodily systems. But, the patient of psoriasis, especially
The Ayurvedic Concept of Psoriasis
Written by Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya
7
in the advanced stage, must have confidence for cure and
perseverance to continue the treatment for long time without any
excitement and hope for magic cure.
PROHIBITED FOODS AND BEHAVIORS
During the treatment of psoriasis following foods and behaviors are
prohibited:
Milk; yogurt (curd); sugarcane products; new rice right after
harvesting; fish; meat (except wild birds meat); too much salt in diet;
acid fruits and foods; vinegar; too much oily foods and food
preparations; raw radish; over eating; hot and cold condition or drink
without interval; sleeping during the day especially right after meal;
withholding the natural urges of stool, urine or gas; swimming right
after sun bath; violation of the social discipline.
RECOMMENDED DIET
Barely; whole-wheat bread; honey; eggs; brown rice; bean soup
especially of Mung-bean; orange lentil etc.; meat of wild bird; green
vegetables especially bitter in taste; sweet and astringent fruits (not
sour); ghee, butter and cheese (moderately); boiled and filtered water
to drink; tea, coffee (not after meal or during the period of digestion of
meal) etc.
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